One round of apologies and forgiveness...

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To all higher-fire subscribers:

The recent exchanges regarding the AOG list became somewhat heated.
Comments that I made could be used to justify some improper attitudes.
As the weekend approaches, I would like to ask that those who may
agree with my statements and others also meditate on the harvest
field.

UNSETTLING OBSERVATIONS

Passing local cornfields traveling home from errands this morning, a
realization came to me. We have been driving by these same fields for
many weeks. Though spring was late, the corn began to rise, and as the
hotter parts of August slowly came, I was busy, but the fields were
filled.

Now, I know what this unrealized, unexpressed thought was. "Where are
the ears? Where is the fruit?" 

Though I saw it subconsciously, for the first time I am conscious that
there are no ears on the stalks here. I don't understand it. Perhaps I
am looking in the wrong place. Perhaps the type of corn does not
produce a large, evident ear of corn. One thing is sure.. It is almost
the end of the summer.. There should be fruit. A season without yield
is a strange thing, maybe even an abomination.

Our instructions regarding the harvest are straight and memorable.
Everyone of us has heard it repeatedly:

"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh   harvest ?
behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for
they are white already to  harvest" - John 4:35  

But I cannot see that as I look at the fields today. Are Jesus words
applicable in the early days of the harvest ? Evidently, for His
apostles were commissioned to bring sheaves in rejoicing. Their
"successors" had no different view... Seasons continue, but the
harvest is ripe, and ready.

So then, what is it that I see?

I see a field improperly prepared, and needing yet a little more time.
The weeks of summer are nearly gone, but the crop is striving to reach
maturity.. It is odd, and out of season, but what is more important,
the harvest or the "proper season"? 

We were to have prayed for Laborers for the harvest, but there are
still few. We were to have watered, but have not carried enough water
and there is a slow crop. It has rained naturally, even in abundance,
but there is still a need, for there has been some problems, and it is
evident as I survey the fields.

The promise of good fruit is there, but is not visible.. the calendar
and the season has advanced as we have spent idle time, and urgency
blows from the north as a cold wind rises.

Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, and as the Lord authorized
and certified His servant's words, the battle was fought in light in
the evening time. Will we have good weather as the calendar closes?
Are we knowing what to do with the condition of fruitlessness? Do we
have the desire!?

"Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down;
for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is
great.  Multitudes, multitudes in the  valley  of  decision : for the
day of the LORD is near in the  valley  of  decision."  Joel 3:13-14

We need a "little more time". What will you do with that time if God
grants it ?